Savills Planning has successfully obtained planning permission for a monumental £250 million development at Melbourn Science Park on behalf of Bruntwood SciTech, marking a significant boost for the science and technology industries in Cambridge.

This joint venture, encompassing Bruntwood, Legal & General, and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, is set to deliver an expansive 390,000 square feet of dedicated laboratory and office space. This space is tailored to host up to 75 businesses, ranging from dynamic startups to established international research and development centres of excellence.

Spanning several years, the project’s rollout is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the UK’s science and technology sector, offering substantial economic benefits to both the local community and the wider region. The development plan includes the renovation of three existing structures alongside the construction of six new buildings, providing a mix of co-working, leased, and managed spaces designed to foster innovation across the life sciences, tech, and innovation sectors.

Integral to the project are new communal areas and enhanced amenities aimed at promoting collaboration and wellbeing among the park’s occupants. Furthermore, a commitment to sustainability is evident in the project’s aim for all new buildings to achieve net zero carbon status in both construction and communal operation phases. Efforts to upgrade retained buildings for improved energy efficiency will also be undertaken, preserving as much of the existing structures as possible.

The masterplan outlines a vision for a fully electric park, aiming for EPC A ratings for all buildings and incorporating 600 square metres of solar panels to reduce carbon emissions. An efficient heating network will interconnect the buildings, supported by all-electric air source heat pumps.

Andy Moffat, head of planning at Savills Cambridge, expressed enthusiasm about continuing the company’s successful history of supporting science parks in Cambridge and looked forward to aiding Bruntwood SciTech in realising their ambitious plans.

Daron Williams, building consultancy director at Bruntwood SciTech, emphasized the project’s significance in providing crucial, world-class facilities for burgeoning science and technology enterprises within Cambridgeshire’s innovation ecosystem. He also highlighted the initiative as a testament to their dedication to nurturing the life science sector’s growth across the UK, facilitating innovation, collaboration, and global competitiveness.